Anyone every hear of this ? Oil pipeline in WWII

[Tractorat]

Initially had no protection at all. Not even convoys. Finally added AA gun crew supplied by the Navy (didnt help against subs). Sitting ducks for U boats. And it was good strategy for the enemy to try to cut the lines of supply. My dads ship that was sunk was while "protected" by a convoy.

 

[DJW]

During WW2 the British raised the age of when a boy could go to sea, from 14 to 15 years of age, owing to the high losses of ships' crews. Doubtful if it made any difference, if a 13 year old boy wanted to go to sea, he could lie about his age, plus if he done a, 'Pier Head Jump', meaning got on when the ship was in the locks. Because of 30 foot tides in the Bristol channel in the UK, ships docking there needed to go through the locks before entering or leaving the channel. During that time in Europe, most children left school at 14 years of age, unless seeking higher education, if that was the case they would have to sit an examination in Britain to qualify, if they failed, they could continue with their education, but had to pay for it.
Compared to service personnel, seamen received high rates of pay, and being civilians, plus most ports had, 'Mission to Seaman', facilities, canteen and beds, only allowed to serving seamen. The beef seamen had was not being recognized for their service during the war, medals etc. I believe that has been rectified by some countries.

 

[Tractorat]

The beef seamen had was not being recognized for their service during the war, medals etc

The beef that my dad (17 or 18 years old when he first went in) and 2 of his cousins who also were in the MM, was that they didnt get free cookies from the red cross

 

[AABEN]

My dad was in the Merchant Marine. One of his ships was sunk in the north atlantic. Another ship he was on was a tanker in the south pacific (big ship full of highly flameable gasoline). When they were in port, the Red Cross (or was it the USO, I forget) would not give the merchant marine sailors any cookies or donuts like they would to navy sailors or soldiers.



Until recently, the WWII merchant marine sailors did not get veteran status (this was finally rectified a couple of years ago after many or most had died.







In WWII, the United States Merchant Marine had a casualty rate second only to the USMC. (But were not considered vets, and could not get free cookies)

YOU can bet it was not the red cross! They never give any thing away. The USO and S V A gave coffee cake cookies and sandwich when they could.

 

[AABEN]

My dad was in the Merchant Marine. One of his ships was sunk in the north atlantic. Another ship he was on was a tanker in the south pacific (big ship full of highly flameable gasoline). When they were in port, the Red Cross (or was it the USO, I forget) would not give the merchant marine sailors any cookies or donuts like they would to navy sailors or soldiers.



Until recently, the WWII merchant marine sailors did not get veteran status (this was finally rectified a couple of years ago after many or most had died.







In WWII, the United States Merchant Marine had a casualty rate second only to the USMC. (But were not considered vets, and could not get free cookies)

YOU can bet it was not the red cross! They never give any thing away. The USO and Salvation gave coffee cake cookies and sandwich when they could.

 

[Tractorat]

I dont remember. It could have been the USO or the Salvation Army. My dad died in the mid 90's, and I remember him telling me the story way back in the 70's.

 

[DJW]

The American Red Cross in the UK, re. American Forces had to pay for Coffee etc, they put up a bogus reason, re. British Forces had to pay for tea etc. the only British Canteens were those in camps, which naturally charged for tea etc as they were not a charitable organization. The American Red Cross was, and still is a Charitable institution. The Salvation Army a Christian institution always charged for Tea and cookies in their Canteens located in towns. Unsure if they served civilians, or only members of any Armed Services as I only went there on returning from overseas, as during wartime there were many free canteens in towns.

The first hospital I was a patient in Namkum, Ranchi, India, British Army hospital, the American Red Cross used to issue, candy, tooth paste, shaving cream, 2 packets of cigarettes a week, (lucky Strike or Chesterfields) and if in hospital for a month gave you a bed comforter. (But no Tea and Biscuits).

 

[DJW]

I didn't know this thread started with PLUTO, a real feel good piece of Propaganda. Its said, "The first casualty of War is Truth", Pluto never supplied enough fuel for the Allies during the invasion of Europe. The Allies wanted to capture a channel port to enable tankers to dock there, and end the fuel bottleneck. The Germans knew this, and held on to the desired port, and it was some time before they were driven from there, thus somewhat easing the fuel problem. Much of the squabble between Montgomery and Patton was over fuel, each wanted enough fuel to push forward. It certainly was a great help after D-Day to consolidate the captured coastal area, but the greater number of transports and tanks landing there, especially tanks, the daily consumption was huge became a chronic shortage. The lack of fuel for the German army especially tanks, was part of the success for the Allies in western Europe, as the Germans had far superior armaments compared to the Allies.